#HealthScience

A wave of new research is reshaping what we know about fatherhood, suggesting that men’s brains undergo measurable, dynamic changes when they become parents—changes often echoing those long attributed to mothers. For Thai families watching the shifting roles of men in parenting and policymakers focused on child development, these findings open remarkable new windows into the neurobiology of caregiving and challenge prevailing cultural stereotypes.

Until recently, the concept of “mom brain” reigned supreme in popular culture and scientific study. Defined by both cognitive shifts and an emotional attunement toward a new child, much has been made about the brain and hormonal changes mothers experience. However, a growing body of work, including the latest research led by a US-based psychology professor at the University of Southern California, finds that becoming a father sparks a unique neurological and hormonal transformation—a phenomenon now being described as “dad brain” (wbur.org).

Long revered for its golden blooms and gentle healing touch, Calendula officinalis—commonly known as pot marigold—holds a cherished place in both gardens and herbal medicine cabinets worldwide. Across continents and centuries, this humble flower has played a starring role in soothing wounds, calming inflamed skin, and much more. Modern science is now peeling back the petals of these traditions, revealing a story where ancient wisdom and contemporary research harmoniously intersect—a tale with both rich history and real-world potential for health-conscious readers seeking safe, effective, and culturally resonant remedies.

The age-old debate over whether high-repetition, low-weight workouts or low-repetition, high-weight sessions are best for building muscle has taken center stage once again, thanks to recent scientific findings. A new study published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports sheds fresh light on how different resistance training strategies uniquely influence muscle growth, particularly within the hamstrings—a muscle group critical not just for athletes, but for anyone wanting strong, functional legs. With gym culture on the rise across Thailand and Asia, these insights are especially timely for local fitness enthusiasts, trainers, and the expanding community of health-focused individuals.

In the heart of Thailand’s traditional medicine cabinets sits a plant with a storied history and a pungent aroma—Cleome viscosa, or “ผักเสี้ยนผี.” Revered in folk culture for generations, this herbal remedy, known in various regions as “ส้มเสี้ยนผี,” “ผักเสี้ยนตัวเมีย,” or even the poetic “ไปนิพพานไม่รู้กลับ,” has been transformed from backyard weed into the protagonist of new scientific inquiry. Now, as health-conscious Thais seek natural remedies rooted in local wisdom, the dialogue between tradition and modern research places Cleome viscosa in the spotlight like never before.

In the aromatic world of Thai cuisine and traditional medicine, few herbs are as instantly recognizable or culturally resonant as galangal, known locally as “kha” (ข่า). Revered for its pungent, peppery flavor and unique fragrance, galangal has for centuries occupied a central place not just in kitchens, but also in the homes and herbal cabinets of Thailand. Today, this time-honored root stands at the fascinating crossroads between ancient wisdom and modern scientific inquiry, where laboratory research is increasingly validating uses that Thai healers and families have relied on for generations.

For centuries, the towering stalks of อ้อยแดง—known globally as Saccharum officinarum or sugarcane—have waved across Thai landscapes, embodying both agricultural might and healing promise. While most passersby associate อ้อยแดง with sweetness and sugar production, ancient wisdom and new science reveal a far richer, more complex story: one in which this iconic plant’s healing power is celebrated both on temple altars and in the world’s most advanced laboratories.

In kitchens and clinics, at festivals and in village remedies, the red-stemmed variety of sugarcane—often called อ้อยดำ or อ้อยตาแดง—has stood as both staple and symbol. Today, research is illuminating why this time-honored herbal medicine deserves renewed attention from everyone seeking the best of traditional healing and modern health care.

Among the lush, shaded understories of Thailand’s tropical forests grows a plant shrouded in both botanical intrigue and cultural tradition—the enigmatic Tacca chantrieri, known locally as “Nerapusee Thai,” or more vividly as the “black bat flower.” With striking purplish-black petals that mimic a bat in flight, this unusual plant has captured both the imaginations of herbalists and the attention of modern scientists, standing at the crossroads of folklore and pharmacology.

Thailand’s markets come alive with the fragrance of som-o, or pomelo, especially during the cool season when its hefty, grapefruit-like fruits are stacked high. Many Thais relish its sweet-tart segments at temple fairs or New Year merit offerings. Yet, the greatness of the pomelo (Citrus grandis (L.) Osbeck)—known locally by names such as โกรัยตะลอง, มะขุน, มะโอ, ลีมาบาลี, and สังอู—extends far beyond the fruit bowl. For centuries, Thai traditional medicine has harnessed the thick, aromatic peel of som-o for remedies thought to ease coughs, swelling, skin woes, and indigestion. But how much of the old wisdom has stood up to scientific inquiry? Today, with both respect for heritage and a critical eye, we explore what research reveals about pomelo peel’s healing promise—and where prudent caution remains essential.

For generations, Thai wisdom keepers have regarded ส้มโอมือ (sôm o mue), or Citrus medica L.―known in English as ‘Buddha’s Hand’, citron, or ส้มมือ (sôm mue)—as a fragrant gift from nature, thriving across temple gardens, village fences, and the annals of ancient pharmacopeias. In an era where health-conscious readers yearn for authentic remedies grounded as much in heritage as in evidence, ส้มโอมือ shines as both a cultural artifact and a rising star of modern pharmacological research. Today, as science investigates the very compounds once praised by village healers, a fascinating convergence emerges: ancient Thai medicinal practices are increasingly gaining validation in the global scientific narrative.

For centuries, สีเสียดเทศ—known scientifically as Uncaria gambir—has been a trusted remedy in the apothecaries and homes throughout Southeast Asia. Revered in both Thai and wider Southeast Asian herbal traditions, it has historically served as a versatile medicinal ally, from soothing stomach complaints to tending to wounds. Today, สีเสียดเทศ’s transformation from regional folk remedy and trade commodity to a subject of modern pharmacological research reveals a vibrant intersection of culture, tradition, and science—one that offers intriguing prospects, but also calls for careful scrutiny and respect.

For generations, the sharp fragrance and sour tang of มะนาว—known to scientists as Citrus aurantiifolia, or simply, lime—has infused Thai culture not only as an indispensable flavor in cuisine but as a powerful remedy in traditional herbal medicine. With its roots stretching deep into the soils of Southeast Asia, มะนาว is more than an everyday kitchen staple; it is a botanical treasure whose healing legacy resonates across history, folklore, and, increasingly, in laboratory research. Today, as global interest in herbal medicine escalates and scientific inquiry intensifies, มะนาว is taking center stage once again, bridging ancient wisdom with modern validation.

In the lush forests and rural villages across Thailand, “ม้ากระทืบโรง” (Maa Krathueb Rong), scientifically known as Ficus foveolata Wall., carries a legacy steeped in local tradition, folk remedies, and cultural reverence. Known by many evocative names such as “เดื่อเครือ” in Chiang Mai, “ม้าทะลายโรง” in the Northeast, “พญานอนหลับ” in Nakhon Sawan, and “กาโร” in Ranong, this robust climbing herb has found its place at the crossroads of ancestral healing and the search for scientifically validated remedies. Today, contemporary research efforts are illuminating its potential medicinal properties while honoring the generations of knowledge embedded in Thai culture.

In the vibrant tapestry of Thai traditional medicine, few plants captivate the imagination and curiosity of healers and researchers alike as much as ย่านางแดง (Yaanang Daeng), scientifically known as Bauhinia strychnifolia Craib. Revered for generations in rural villages and cited with mounting interest in cutting-edge biomedical studies, this scarlet-hued vine is emblematic of the enduring dialogue between ancient wisdom and contemporary science.

Yaanang Daeng has long been woven into daily life across the North and Northeast of Thailand, where local names such as “เครือขยัน” (the diligent vine) and “หญ้านางแดง” (red Yaanang grass) echo in folk stories and home remedies. Traditionally, its leaves, stems, and roots are believed to harbor detoxifying, anti-fever, and tonic properties, earning it a significant presence in classical Thai herbal texts and household apothecaries. Today, curiosity about the scientific underpinnings of these ancient claims drives researchers to unlock the biochemical secrets of this unassuming forest dweller.

In the vibrant tapestry of Thailand’s traditional medicine, few plants are as revered yet as underappreciated by the modern world as เปราะป่า (Pe-rah Pa), known scientifically as Kaempferia marginata. For generations, the aromatic rhizomes of this humble forest herb have played an essential role in rural healing, weaving together folklore, ritual, and everyday remedy. But in recent years, a fresh wave of scientific validation is finally shedding light on the remarkable pharmacological powers that echo the wisdom of Thailand’s ancestors. Today, Pe-rah Pa stands as a living bridge—connecting village healers with laboratory scientists and the old ways with the promise of new medicine.

In the realm of Thai herbal tradition, few remedies stand as tall—both literally and culturally—as “pla lai puek” (ปลาไหลเผือก), a revered root with centuries of healing lore and, increasingly, mounting scientific interest. Known across the country by a patchwork of regional names—krung badan in Surat Thani, khanang in Trat, and tung sor in the North—this unassuming root from the Eurycoma longifolia Jack shrub, also called tongkat ali throughout Southeast Asia, is at the crossroads of folk wisdom and modern research, offering health-conscious readers a window into how ancient plant knowledge can inspire today’s medical science.

Ajowan, known in Thai as “เทียนเยาวพาณี” (Trachyspermum ammi), sits quietly on spice racks, yet hums with centuries-old medicinal energy and the growing attention of researchers. Often mistaken for its better-known botanical relatives, ajowan is more than just a culinary delight; it is a cornerstone of Asian traditional medicine. In a world seeking holistic solutions, ajowan’s journey from ancient herbal wisdom to the scrutiny of the laboratory provides a compelling case study of the intersection between tradition and science.

In every corner of Thailand, from vibrant city parks to rural village roadsides, the golden cascades of the Cassia fistula tree—known in Thai as “khun” (คูน)—announce both the start of summer and a profound link to Thailand’s healing heritage. Revered not only for its luminous beauty but also for its potent medicinal properties, Cassia fistula serves as a living testament to the enduring wisdom of traditional herbal medicine. But how does this time-honored “golden shower tree” stand up to the rigors of modern scientific scrutiny, and what can 21st-century research reveal about the medicinal secrets our ancestors held dear?

For centuries, the fiery red lace surrounding the nutmeg seed—known to Thais as “dok chan” or “dok chan thet”—has played a quiet but profound role in the region’s kitchens and clinics. Known widely as mace (the aril of Myristica fragrans), this delicate, aromatic spice is at once a culinary gem and a time-honored remedy. Recent scientific investigations are now confirming what Thai traditional healers have long believed: the health benefits of mace extend far beyond its enticing flavor and fragrance.

In markets across Thailand and much of East Asia, you can often find bundles of slender, aromatic roots known as “โกฐหัวบัว”—the dried rhizome of Ligusticum sinense. This centuries-old herbal remedy, revered in Asian traditions for its multitude of uses, is now experiencing renewed interest as modern science digs deeper into its potential health benefits, chemical secrets, and applications in everyday wellness. From its roots in dynastic pharmacopeias to its present-day status as a subject of pharmacological research, Ligusticum sinense offers an instructive window into how ancient wisdom and contemporary science can together illuminate the path toward holistic health care.

For centuries, the thick, gnarled roots of Pueraria mirifica have been unearthed from the misty forests of northern Thailand and lovingly brewed into potions or dried into powders with a singular promise—youthfulness restored. Known locally as กวาวเครือขาว (Kwao Krua Kao), this fascinating member of the legume family occupies a unique niche in both traditional Thai medicine and the budding landscape of natural health supplements worldwide. But what is the science behind its enduring popularity? And how does the legend of an ancient “elixir of youth” meet the scrutiny of the modern laboratory?